Still Suffrage

Premier Kato, in accordance with last week's anticipation, announced that the Government has under consideration an extension of the fran- chise. By means of this announcement, he succeeded in defeating a Universal Suffrage Bill in the lower House of the Diet.

By declaring that he will sponsor a measure liberalizing the franchise (now restricted to male taxpayers 25 years of age and older), Kato has at least temporarily silenced his critics and renewed his grip on the Premiership.